Both sides have a chance at salvaging their seasons with some silverware, but who will succeed?
Chelsea and Manchester United face off on Saturday to decide the winner of England’s most coveted domestic cup. Both teams have had relatively substandard seasons. Chelsea, after winning the league last season, have finished 5th this season and fans are now calling for Conte’s head. Manchester United have improved on last season’s 6th place finish, but there has always been a feeling of incompleteness. The FA Cup provides both teams the opportunity to restore some pride at the end of an otherwise bland campaigns. We look ahead to the game – particularly its key players and tactical nuances.
Players to look out for:
Eden Hazard
Well, for The Blues, you simply cannot look past the mercurial Eden Hazard. He is without a doubt the club’s best player. If he turns on the style then there is no point in looking past Chelsea as winners of the FA Cup. Such is his terror that over the past two meetings these teams have had, Mourinho has had him man-marked by Scott McTominay and Ander Herrera. If United can keep the Belgian under control, they have a greater chance of winning the game. On the other hand, if Hazard has his own way, Chelsea will be able to thrive offensively.
Alexis Sanchez:
Machester’s Red Devils will undoubtedly look to stifle Alexis Sanchez as the Chilean searches for inspiration. He has scored 8 goals in 8 games at Wembley, and will be among the favourites to put the ball in the back of the net. He will definitely be up for a challenge given the winning mentality that has been ingrained into his head. If Sanchez gets himself involved in the game and has an influence on proceedings, the pendulum will certainly swing towards Manchester United.
8 – Alexis Sanchez has scored eight goals in his eight appearances at Wembley Stadium for club and country, including four in three #FACup semi-finals. Menace.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 21, 2018
The Managers
One thing is for certain; both Conte and Mourinho don’t like each other despite what they say publicly. Conte has had a poor season when compared to last season as some of the performances have been dire like the ones at home to Bournemouth, away at City, and on the final day of the season at Newcastle. Mourinho, despite finishing second, has been dealt his fair share of criticism mainly due to his style of play. But on Saturday, style and performance won’t matter, with a positive result essentially the only thing that either side will care about. Without an ounce of doubt, both Conte and Mourinho are aching to add another trophy to their cabinet.
Potential line-ups:
Chelsea XI: Courtois, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Moses, Alonso, Kante, Fabregas, Willian, Hazard, Giroud.
Manchester United XI: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Valencia, Young, Matic, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard, Sanchez, Lukaku.
Prediction:
In one-off cup games, anything can happen as form goes out the window. But judging purely on the basis of necessity, I think Manchester United will be the more motivated of the two sides. As for Chelsea, it will probably be Antonio Conte’s last game as their manager. The Italian might not be able to motivate his players as well as Mourinho can either, and so I’m left with no chance but to endorse a narrow Manchester United win.
Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United